Hoipefully we can compile a list of commemorative medals and badges given to veterans, whether campaign or service. The National Service Medal - those who performed National Service, between January 1939 and December 1960, or their next of kin. Active Service Medal - a commemorative medal for Veterans of the British & Commonwealth Forces who participated in World War II, Korea, Malaya, Suez, etc up to the present day. Allied Ex-Prisoner Of War Medal Arctic Campaign Medal - veterans of the Arctic Campaign 1939 to 1945 or their next of kin
I apologise if this is a really crass question but when you see service people with ribbons sewn on their left chests does it mean that they have been awarded one or more medals?
Nane, as Hugh has shown, it indicates medals awarded. They run in order of precedance, and some will have little emblems on them. The most common of these would be an Oak Leaf indicating that the individual was Mentioned in Despatches, and/or a Rosette on a particular medal ribbon which indicates that they received another of those medals (and on the medal itself it is shown as a Bar or Clasp).
Thanks Hugh and Kyt. My Dad would not claim his medals so does that mean that he would not have had the ribbons either?
No, I'm afraid not Nana. But ribbons are usually only worn on uniforms, whereas medals can be worn on either uniform or civvies.
